Manny Scott, an original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the 2007 acclaimed Hollywood movie “Freedom Writers,” will be on the CBC Beeville campus on Friday, Aug. 8, to speak to faculty and staff.

Coastal Bend College (CBC) faculty and staff will have the opportunity to attend a professional development session with Manny Scott, an original Freedom Writer, on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Leadership Symposium taking place on the CBC Beeville campus.

An original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the 2007 hit movie “Freedom Writers” starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank and “Grey’s Anatomy’s” Patrick Dempsey, Scott has energized over a million leaders, educators, volunteers and students worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope. Speaking to more than 125 groups a year for the past decade, he is the speaker of choice for conferences, conventions, schools, fundraisers and banquets.

The author of “Dream Now: How to Take Hold of the Life You’ve Always Dreamed About,” Scott’s unique message is one that has inspired, educated and empowered almost a million people, helping them make the most of their lives.

At the age of 14, Manuel dropped out of school, and his English grammar was so poor that he was classified as an English as a Second Language student (ESL). By the age of 16, he had already lived in 26 different places. At an early age, he began using drugs and alcohol.

He says, “When I look back, I now see that I was heading down a path that would have destroyed me.”

However, due to an amazing transformation, Scott has defied all the odds stacked against him.

“I was once dismissed as ‘unreachable’ and ‘unteachable,’” says Scott, “but something special happened, and I love sharing that message with others.”

The high school drop-out now holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and Trinity International University. He is currently working on his Ph.D.

Scott’s appearance at CBC is made possible by the Title V Celebrando Educación grant. The grant’s goal is to improve retention and completion rates and increase enrollment in technical and/or professional occupational fields of study at CBC.

“The purpose of the Leadership Symposium is to learn, lead and inspire. This symposium will provide information for dual enrollment adjunct instructors and staff that will enhance CBC’s current student success initiatives,” said Santos Jones, CBC Title V Cooperative coordinator.

“We strive to ensure that each student has the same access and opportunity to succeed at CBC. Manny Scott will provide new perspectives in working with students by shedding light on the various challenges that today’s teens face as they navigate their way through college.”

All CBC faculty and staff who attend the Leadership Symposium will earn professional development hours. In addition to Scott’s motivational speech, participants also will receive information about Campus Connect, Blackboard and student retention best practices/strategies.

“I do not speak to impress people,” Scott explains, “but to impress upon them some invaluable lessons that could literally change the quality of their lives forever. When I speak, I try to make sure audiences are crystal clear about how to ‘turn the page’—to transform their lives. Whether I’m in Houston or Hong Kong, Kansas City or Cairo, Los Angeles or London, I carry a torch light of inspiration into the recesses of dormant potential and show the gems that are sparkling there.”

For more information about attending the Leadership Symposium featuring Scott, contact Santos Jones at (361) 354-2426; faculty and staff can register online at www.coastalbend.edu/LeadershipSym/.

For more information on Freedom Writers, visit http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/.